James Harper was an American printer and publisher. He served also as Mayor of New York City from 1844 to 1845.
Background
James Harper was born on April 13, 1795, in Elmhurst, New York, United States, one of a family of six children, two of whom died in infancy. Of the four surviving sons he was the eldest. His father was Joseph Harper, a son of Janies Harper born in Ipswich, Suffolk, who came to America before the Revolution and settled at Newtown, Long Island. His mother was Elizabeth Kolyer, the daughter of a Dutch burgher.
Education
By these strict, but wise and loving, parents James and his brothers were trained in habits of industry, in integrity, and in sobriety; and a remarkable and enduring family loyalty was established. It was in their simple, frugal, religious farm home in Newtown, Long Island, rather than in the small country school where James spent a few months each year, that the foundations were laid for his life of honor, usefulness, and success.
Career
James Harper was a great reader. His interest in Franklin’s Autobiography led him to choose printing for his own initial venture, and at sixteen he was apprenticed to a Methodist friend of the family, Abraham Paul, of the printing firm of Paul & Thomas, New York City, where according to custom he lived with his employer. In 1817, after a younger brother, John, had completed a printer’s apprenticeship with Jonathan Seymour, the two young men set up a business for themselves in a “dingy little room” in Dover Street under the name of J. & J. Harper. Their first big printing job was an edition of 2, 000 copies of Seneca’s Morals. The year 1818 was a dull one in the printing business and the new firm decided to venture upon a bit of publishing, choosing Locke’s Essay on the Human Understanding for their first production. This was the earliest of about two hundred books issued by the two brothers. Soon the firm was enlarged by the admission of the remaining brothers, Joseph Wesley, commonly known as Wesley, and Fletcher. Wesley “bought into” the firm in 1823 and two years later Fletcher joined the organization, but it was not until 1833 that the still existing name of Harper & Brothers was assumed.
The success of the firm was due in part to the loyalty that existed among the brothers. Until about 1859 each drew at will upon the common funds of the firm for his personal expenses. Furthermore, the capabilities of each supplemented those of the others. John, from the days of his apprenticeship, was known as an especially skilful compositor; he became a keen proof reader, and for years no important work went to press until specimen pages had passed his critical scrutiny. He was also the business manager of the concern. Joseph Wesley was noted for his literary judgment; he often made the final decision when the value of a book for publication was being considered. Many of the prefaces of the firm’s publications are attributed to him. Courteous and tactful, he shone especially as letter writer for the house. He was also the almoner for the family.
James Harper, from the beginning of his business career, was known as an accomplished pressman. When the work of the brothers became more or less specialized he assumed charge of the mechanical equipment of the house, which was among the first to use steam-run presses and the first to introduce electrotyping on a large scale. His personal relations with the employees were most intimate and friendly. Every day for an hour or two he was looking through the working part of the establishment, joking or laughing with the workmen or workwomen but seeing everything that was done or left undone. An accident while driving a horse caused his death.
Achievements
Religion
Methodist preachers, as they rode their circuits, often stayed at the Harper home; and these men made their influence felt upon young Harper.
Politics
In 1844, James Harper was elected American Republican Party mayor of New York for one-year term, defeating Locofoco Party candidate Jonathan I. Coddington and Whig Morris Franklin. James won the election by 4, 316 votes. He at once initiated numerous business-like improvements in city government. He was later proposed for governor of the state but refused to run.
Views
Quotations:
"Either one is the Harper, the rest are the Brothers. "
Personality
Harper's vigorous physique, industrious habits, and good-humored personality won him a place in the regard of his associates, who at first were rather inclined to scoff at the country youth in his homespun garb.
Interests
Driving a good horse was Harper's chief recreation.
Connections
Harper was twice married: first, to Maria Arcularius, by whom he had one son; second, to Julia Thorne, by whom he had one son and two daughters.